New push to save babies from 'unsafe sleep'

Michigan's First Lady aims to prevent infant deaths

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - In 2012, 144 babies in Michigan died because of unsafe sleep situations. Michigan's First Lady Sue Snyder wants to help change that.

At Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Snyder spoke out in support of a new push to promote safe sleep.

"As both a mother and the first lady of Michigan, I find the loss of 150 babies each year in Michigan due to unsafe sleep environments tragic - particularly since these deaths are 100 percent preventable," said Snyder.

The new safe sleep campaign features a video in which families who have experienced this tragedy firsthand share their stories. One of those parents is Shareece Lee, who lost her nearly three month old daughter Lailah after she was put to sleep on her stomach while Lee was at work.

"By the time you realize that what you're doing is a wrong thing to do, it's too late," said Lee. "No parent wants to find out that they're doing something wrong at the expense of the life of their child."

Beaumont Hospital is the first in the state to air this video through the hospital television system. The state is also in talks with other hospitals to provide this educational video to new parents.

To keep babies safe, experts say parents and caregivers must:· Never put the baby to sleep with adults or other children· Put babies in cribs of their own, never on adult beds, pillows or couches.· Ensure that the crib does not contain any items such as pillows, crib bumpers, blankets or stuffed animals. Use a safe sleep sack instead of blankets.· Place the baby to sleep on his/her back, not on the stomach or side.· Do not overheat the baby.· Make certain that no one smokes around the baby.